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Proceeding contribution from Lord Elder (Labour) in the House of Lords on Friday, 10 February 2006. It occurred during Debate on bill on Parliament (Participation of Members of the House of Commons) Bill [HL].


Parliament (Participation of Members of the House of Commons) Bill [HL]

My Lords, the point that I made was that, constitutionally, English MPs and Westminster have the power to legislate on all matters in the United Kingdom. That is what devolution means. You may say that it may not be exercised; I do not know. However, I will say that the provision may or may not be dormant, but the fact is that it is a constitutional provision which is there. The Conservative Party seems to be playing very fast and loose with the constitution here. It is even deciding to miss out bits of the constitution which are inconvenient to its argument simply because it finds it easier to do so. This is the constitutional position; MPs and this House have an absolute right to legislate across the United Kingdom. That is where they have that power.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
678 c923 
Session
2005-06
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Devolution Constitutions House of Commons Legislation Northern Ireland Powers Members Scotland Sovereignty Wales Voting rights Speaker West Lothian question English votes for English laws
Legislation
Parliament (Participation of Members of the House of Commons) Bill (HL) 2005-06
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk